Ballynahinch aim to kick-start recovery at Galwegians

By Michael Sadler

It hardly merits talk of crisis, but after shipping two straight defeats Ballynahinch need to ensure that this run of results is nipped in the bud today at Galwegians. And while Hinch did take a try bonus from their 41-26 home loss to Naas last weekend - and, indeed, claimed two points from the previous defeat at Old Wesley - there is no denying the frustration currently felt at Ballymacarn Park.

It hardly merits talk of crisis, but after shipping two straight defeats Ballynahinch need to ensure that this run of results is nipped in the bud today at Galwegians. And while Hinch did take a try bonus from their 41-26 home loss to Naas last weekend - and, indeed, claimed two points from the previous defeat at Old Wesley - there is no denying the frustration currently felt at Ballymacarn Park.

The Co Down side are sixth in the table and are two places ahead of Galwegians, who are only four points adrift of them, bringing the need to get a win this weekend ever more into sharp focus.

"It's just about trying to get some consistency," stated Hinch's head coach Derek Suffern.

"We just have to try and front up," he added.

Hinch have a reasonably strong side going to Galway - Lorcan Dow, John Donnan, Angus Lloyd and Jonny McPhillips are all playing - but are without Conor Joyce, Sam Windsor and Aaron Cairns who are on Ulster duty. "On paper our team has strong individuals but collectively it has to perform," explained Suffern.

"We need to stay in the mix," he added.

"And, if we can, we know that we can get momentum and all it takes is to get that and go on a bit of a roll."

Fresh from losing to leaders UL Bohemians, fifth-placed Ballymena face another significant challenge this weekend when meeting Old Wesley, who are in third, at Eaton Park.

Coach Andy Graham is looking for a response from his squad after they went down 25-15 at Bohs which brought the Braidmen a second defeat from their last three AIL games.

"It's a home game and our aim is to win it, we aren't thinking of anything else," said Graham.

Ballymena have Kieran Treadwell, David Shanahan and Adam McBurney available while, if fit, Stephen Mulholland should also feature. Graham may also be able to deploy Ross Kane and Mark Best along with either Andy Warwick or Alan O'Connor.

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